Many people visit Alaska and are irresistibly drawn back. Perhaps, this influences the strange attitude that devoted Alaskans have toward outsiders.

Alaskans are Weird

In short, Alaskans are weird (I can say that because I am one of them). Instead of patriotism, we have something deeper and more fundamentally woven into the fabric of our society.

To some, Alaska is the wild promised land. As The Last Frontier, Alaska offers wonderful untold adventures. Additionally, the state is physically distanced from the lower ’48 (the continental US), making it a place requiring commitment. After all, Canada is not always a welcoming neighbor. Besides this, the people who stay year-round must be hardy and resilient, giving them an attitude of superiority to outsiders.

Yet, that would be unfair to say. It’s not that the Alaskans think they are superior. It’s this land. There is something special about it. Nevertheless, not everyone has enough love for it to stick around. A lot of people leave. At the same time, some people seem to get a double dose of this special connection. For example, the lady who hired me to milk her cows has stayed in Alaska even though all her grandchildren are down south. 

More Examples

A common example of the draw to Alaska is in military families. Countless men are temporarily stationed in Alaska with their families. After withdrawing from the service, many of them moved their households back to stay. To them, it is irresistible.

A large portion of native-born Alaskans rarely leave the state. One of my closest friends only ventured beyond its borders when she was three years old. Her parents left for a while in their younger years. Like so many others, they returned.

A prime instance of Alaskans’ competitive spirit came out in a recent group chat incident with some friends. One individual said that he liked Iowa better than Alaska. In response, another member went so far as calling him a heretic (all in good fun of course…).

I felt guilty last spring when I traveled to Arizona. Despite my reserve, I had to admit that it would be an interesting place to live. To say this out loud (or out-written, rather) also makes me feel like a heretic! Has Alaskan loyalty become a religion?

My friend Vivienne has noticed the strange mentality of Alaskans. After she traveled much of the world with her parents and sisters, they settled in The Land of The Midnight Sun. In her experience, no other nation or state has residents that are so territorial. That is, people who refuse to consider any place as comparably better than their own.

Hopefully, these thoughts have given you insight into the 49th state’s culture. We have our flaws, but the competitive attitude can be amusing and make someone like me appreciate belonging to the greater whole.

How have you experienced state rivalry?